The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle made a surprise visit last Wednesday to The Hubb Community Kitchen, located in the Al Manaar Community Center in London, even donning plastic gloves and mixing a giant salad for members of the community affected by the Grenfell Tower Fire disaster, which killed 72 people.

Markle’s first solo project as a member of the royal family was to work with a group of women at the Hubb Community Kitchen to create a cookbook ‘Together: Our Community Cookbook’ which she launched in bookstores in September.

Due to a lack of funding, the kitchen could only open two days a week, leaving Meghan to spring into action with the cookbook idea. The pregnant Duchess wrote in the book’s foreword how she instantly felt connected to the west London kitchen with its 'scents of cardamom, curry and ginger dancing through the air'.

Meghan returned to Al Manaar Community Center to celebrate the kitchen now being open seven days a week, with $260,000 raised on UK sales alone.

Kensington Palace shared some photos of the duchess on Instagram, writing:

“Today, The Duchess of Sussex introduced her friend and Michelin Starred Chef @chefclaresmyth to the women of the Hubb Community Kitchen to see how the proceeds from ‘Together: Our Community Cookbook’ are making a difference.

“Thanks to the funds raised by Together, the kitchen has been renovated with the women’s input, to capture the joyful spirit of the Hubb Community Kitchen and provide a safe and professional space to bring the community together over food.”

As to Meghan breaking royal protocol and hugging everyone, Kensington Palace make eventually give up on the frowned-up act among royals. Comparisons to another hugger — Princess Diana — put Meghan in the hearts and minds of average Brits with the comparison of her to Harry’s mother.

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